Kay Steel review 16 May 2019

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

The first and last yes but not the environmental impact

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent

Read the operator's response here:

Reducing environmental impacts has been so important for so long and are so well integrated in the Galapagos, that efforts can sometimes not be obvious
to visitors. However, as with all of our trips we check that the work to make the trip responsible is done behind the scenes,
so you do not need to worry.
In this case, the Galapagos National Park Directorate and Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism require all cruise operators in the Galapagos to follow strict
environmental guidelines. The law requires cruise operators to have features in place that enable: a.) the conservation of water and energy, b.) the
recycling and treatment of waste, c.) the purchase of locally-produced products, and that d.) hire personnel from the islands themselves and compensate
them with a fair wage and professional training.
Along with the guides and staff on the boat, all passengers are fully briefed on how they can each minimise their impact whilst on the cruise. Amongst
other things, this includes how to minimise waste, ensuring one only walks on designated paths, staying at lease 2 meters from the wildlife at all times and
that you must never buy souvenirs made from flora and fauna including black coral, shells, lava rock, animal parts, or any native wood or vegetation.
I trust that this reassures you that environmental protection as well as conservation is very important to us, particularly in somewhere as fragile and
unique as the Galapagos islands.

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